Washer Bellows Lip Structure for Drain Pump Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading laundry machines face issues with foreign bodies entering the washing tub and clogging the drain pump, requiring an anti-clog filter that is difficult to maintain and access, leading to potential malfunctions and aesthetic and cost concerns.
Innovation Solution
A bellows system with first and second lips, where the first lip is closer to the front panel and the second lip is bent, preventing foreign bodies from entering the tub, and an integrated return duct with an anti-clog filter housing, allowing for easier maintenance and reducing the need for a separate access port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anti-clog filter is provided in the draining circuit, then foreign bodies are prevented from clogging the drain pump, but the filter requires periodic removal and cleaning which is difficult due to the access port being in an uncomfortable position
Solution Approach 1:
The access port is relocated from a lower frontal position to an upper rear position, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows users to reach the filter through the door opening at a comfortable height and position, eliminating the need to bend down or reach into difficult-to-access areas while maintaining the filter's protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The door opening serves as an intermediary access route to the filter. Instead of providing direct access through a front panel opening, the design uses the door opening as a mediator that provides indirect but convenient access to the filter housing, combining security with maintainability
2Ease of operation
If an access port is provided in the front panel for filter removal, then filter maintenance is enabled, but the aesthetic quality of the machine is reduced and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening, which already serves as a functional element for loading and unloading laundry, is given an additional function as an access port for filter maintenance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate access port in the front panel, maintaining aesthetic quality while enabling filter access
Solution Approach 2:
The access function for the filter is merged with the door opening structure. Instead of having separate access ports and door functions, the design combines these elements so that the door opening simultaneously serves as both the laundry access and the filter maintenance access point
3Ease of repair
If the exhaust tube is positioned in a lower frontal portion for waste liquid emptying, then the anti-clog filter can be emptied, but the waste liquid pours onto the ground and collecting it is difficult due to the low position
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust tube is relocated from a lower frontal position to an upper rear position, changing the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the emptying outlet. This elevated position allows waste liquid to be collected in a container placed on the ground without pouring onto the surrounding area, making collection easier and cleaner
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A laundry machine, particularly of the front loading type, is proposed. The laundry machine comprises a cabinet (110) with a front panel (115) having a laundry loading/unloading opening (120), a door (125) for closing the laundry loading/unloading opening (120). A washing tub (202) is accommodated within the cabinet (110) and has an opening (203) in correspondence of the laundry loading/unloading opening. A drum (235) is rotatably arranged within the washing tub (202) in such a way that a frontal rim (240) of the drum (235) faces the laundry loading/unloading opening (120), and a bellows (105) connecting a rim (130) of the laundry loading/unloading opening (120) to the opening (203) of the washing tub (202). The bellows (105) comprises a first and a second lips (225, 230) protruding towards the rotation axis (A) of said drum (235). The first lip (225) is closer to the front panel (115) than the second lip (230) and is adapted to hinder the passage of foreign bodies from the drum (235) to the washing tub (202) through a gap between the drum (235) and the washing tub (202). Said second lip (230) is adapted to hinder the passage through said gap of foreign bodies possibly trespassing said first lip (225). Said frontal rim (240) of said drum (235) is located between the first and the second lips (225, 230). In the solution according to an embodiment of the invention said first lip (225) comprises a first lip end (225a) having a distance (r2) from said rotation axis (A) greater than the distance (rl) of the frontal rim (240) of said drum (235) from said rotation axis (A), so that said first lip end (225a) is close to, but spaced apart from said frontal rim (240).